Spinning Rifflers: The Benefits of Accuracy and Efficiency

Whether called a Spinning Riffler or Rotary Sample Divider, the premise behind the how and why of this style of widely-used sample divider is the same: it offers a superior and demonstrated capability to produce accurate representative samples efficiently and consistently, with virtually no operator error and little bias. Since any test result is only as good as the specimen used, accurate sampling should be considered as having primary importance in any testing process.

Spreading the Word

Although they’ve been around since the 1930s, an article published in The Chemical Engineer in 1970 brought an enhanced awareness of spinning rifflers – and their ability to deliver optimal reliability and sampling accuracy. The thesis article, Critical Evaluation of Powder Sampling Properties, written by Terrence Allen and A.A. Khan, post-graduate students from the UK’s University of Bradford, statistically validated the higher level of performance of the spinning riffler method over other common sampling techniques.

What was summarized by Allen and Khan nearly 50 years ago still stands true today: “The spinning riffler is the best technique by far and produces good results, no matter what the previous history of the powder (it samples unmixed just as efficiently as mixed powders).” In conclusion, the pair also said about the spinning riffler, “This is the only technique which will invariably furnish samples to the accuracy required by British Standards for Particle Size Determinations of Fine Powders (B.S. 3406, 1963).”

Based on the suppositions studied and substantiated in the Allen and Khan paper, the spinning riffler then demonstrated greater efficiencies and markedly higher accuracy in comparison to scoop sampling, cone and quartering, table sampling and chute riffling sampling procedures. That high level of efficiency and accuracy still exists today, when looking at the performance of Gilson Spinning Rifflers and comparing the five common sampling procedures.

COMPARISON OF SAMPLE DIVIDING METHODS

(using a 60/40% mixture of coarse and fine sands)

Method

Standard Deviation of Samples (%)

Variation

Estimated MaximumSample Error (%)

Cone & Quartering

6.81

46.4

22.7

Scoop Sampling

5.14

26.4

17.1

Table Sampling

2.09

4.37

7.0

Chute Riffling

1.01

1.02

3.4

Spinning Riffling

0.125

0.016

0.42

Random Variation

0.076

0.0058

0.25

The Mechanics of Spinning Rifflers

Theoretically, how spinning rifflers work hasn’t changed through the years. Bulk samples still continuously stream from a hopper into the vibratory feeder for distribution to the dividing head and into the collection pans/vessels.

Another constant over the past several decades is that the mechanics of spinning rifflers/rotary sample dividers align with what could be considered an industry principle – The Golden Rules of Sampling. These two rules are attributed to inventor/scientist John von Neumann, who introduced them in 1947.

The Golden Rules of Sampling (John von Neumann, 1947)

A powder should be sampled when in motion.

The whole of the stream of powder should be taken for many short increments of time, in preference to part of the stream being taken for the whole of the time.

As rotating motion is the basis of spinning rifflers, it’s easy to see how rotary action Sample Splitters and Dividers work across the board in providing efficient, accurate and equal sampling for many bulk materials, from fine powders to large aggregates:

Dry, fine granular materials or powders often found in the pharmaceutical, powdered metal, grain and food industries are reliably and accurately processed. The vibratory feeder provides a constant, even flow of materials for equal and fully-representative sample distribution into vessels for analysis.

Large bulk samples of aggregates, coal, ores or other minerals with particle topsize up to 2in (50.8mm) are quickly and accurately split to 1/8 or 1/4 fractions, resulting in less handling and sample loss, and yielding the desired quality of equally-representative samples.

Samples that normally would not flow well through fixed-chute gravity splitters are easily and accurately processed through a spinning riffler’s vibratory feeder for quick and optimum results.

We’ve already stated that since Allen and Khan’s thesis in 1970, spinning rifflers continue to consistently provide the highest level of accuracy for applications and sample materials that work best with this type of sample divider. It goes without saying that over the past decades, as with any technological advances seen in automobiles, appliances, electronics, industrial equipment and so on, spinning rifflers have also evolved through improved and streamlined design, construction, mechanical structure, functionality, and more.

Types of Spinning Rifflers

Spinning Rifflers are available in table-top or free-standing models and come with a variety of standard components and optional accessories. Total hopper capacity varies by model and type, as can opening size of the discharge sliding gate, rotation speed, number of collection pans/vessels and other features. Optional accessories can include test tubes, sample vials and other sample collection vessels; additional sample drum, vessel holder plate and dividing head; collection pans to accommodate different fraction sizes and so on.

Gilson offers two spinning riffler models. The Gilson Spinning Riffler has a 1L (61in³) hopper volume and capacity for up to 16 primary samples, and is optimized for processing of powders and finer granular materials. The Gilson Accu-Max Spinning Riffler, with a 1.8ft³ (51L) hopper capacity, is designed for larger samples of materials with wider gradations ranging up to 2in (51mm) particle sizes. Videos on the SP-230 Spinning Riffler and the SP-245 Accu-Max Spinning Riffler are available which highlight their individual features and functionality.

Advantages of Spin Riffling

Highest level of accuracy in production of representative samples

Significantly less variance of results compared to other sampling and dividing methods

Able to produce higher number of samples in a single operation

Dividing heads rotate, and distribute and produce an equal flow to collection vessels

In conclusion, it’s important to keep in mind that sampling and dividing is not a cookie-cutter operation and that even with the benefits of spin riffling discussed here, this type of splitter may not always be the ideal choice. Some factors to consider in determining which splitter works best when include:

Composition of sample – spin riffling works best with materials that are free-flowing.

Bulk samples with moisture variations or which produce significant amounts of airborne dust may work best with an enclosed splitter.

For additional information on spinning rifflers or other sampling and dividing units, check out the Sampling and Dividing page on our website, or view any of the 12 Gilson Sample Dividing/Sample Splitting Equipment videos in our video library.